Ciguatera Fish Poisoning (Toxin) Treatment

If you or someone you know has ingested a fish that you suspect might be contaminated with ciguatera toxin, and you or they have signs or symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, pain, trouble breathing, seizure, confusion, or abnormal skin color, then you must call either an ambulance or the poison control center (if available) in your area for guidance. The U.S. National Poison Control Center hotline is: 1-800-222-1222. (This number is routed to the poison control center that serves your area.)

The poison control center will instruct you what to do. Place the telephone number (along with police, fire, and 911 or equivalent) near your home phones.

• Do not induce vomiting or give syrup of Ipecac.
  
  
  • Ipecac was formerly used to induce vomiting in poisoned patients where there was a chance to get the toxin out of the body. Several advisory bodies such as the American Association of Poison Control Centers and the American Academy of Pediatrics have recommended that Ipecac NOT be used and that it should not even be kept in the household. For more information on this subject go to: http://www.poison.org/prepared/ipecac.asp
    
    
• Do not give activated charcoal at home. Allow medical personnel to decide if this treatment is appropriate.
  
  
• Maintain hydration. Intravenous fluids may be necessary for uncontrollable nausea and vomiting.
  
  
• No specific antidote is available.
  
  
• Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) may help relieve itching; give the person 25-50 mg every six hours.
  
  
• Avoid alcohol, fish, nuts, and nut oils after exposure to ciguatera toxin because they may trigger recurrent symptoms.